Landry Park Series by Bethany Hagen + Book Inspired Fashion Spread

I teamed up with Penguin for their "Behind the Dress" campaign for Bethany Hagen's sequel murder mystery, Jubilee Manor. First I will be doing a review on the series as a whole and then we're going to get into the fun part of this tour. My sister will be joining me for a fashion spread photo shoot as that will represent the true meaning of this book and show you what's behind the covers (dress).

First book in this series...

Title: Jubilee Manor

Author: Bethany Hagen

Pages: 387 pages

Published: August 11th, 2015

Genre: YA, Love, Betrayal, Murder

Rating:

The thrilling conclusion to Landry Park is full of love, betrayal, and murder-- perfect for fans of Divergent, The Selection, and Pride and Prejudice.

In Landry Park, Madeline turned her back on her elite family, friends, and estate to help the Rootless. Now, in Jubilee Manor, she struggles to bring the Gentry and the Rootless together. But when the Gentry heirs-- Madeline's old friends-- are murdered, even she begins to think a Rootless is behind it, putting her at odds with the boy she loves and the very people she is trying to lead. If she can't figure out who is killing her friends and bring them to justice, a violent war will erupt and even more will die-- and Madeline's name, her estate, and all the bonds she's forged won't make any difference.

This conclusion to Landy Park, which VOYA dubbed "Gone with the Wind meets The Hunger Games," is a richly satisfying, addictive read.

The Landry Park duology seems more like a historical fiction mystery that takes place in a world where the gentry rule over the Rootless. This world does not seem so far off from the future. The Landry family have stopped global warming with the nuclear charge and have become the most successful and affluent family of the gentry. Young Madeline is heir to the house and as heir, she is expected to skip University to get married and have an heir instead. Madeline thinks otherwise as she fights for a life of the scholars and a better outlook for the Rootless, the poor bunch of the population that have been oppressed by the gentry. Political intrigue, mystery, romance, and violence ensues in the heart-aching adventure of Madeline finding her role in this world.

My Thoughts

I read the first book in this series a while ago, even before I started blogging and that's why I never posted my review on here. I was super excited when Penguin asked if I was interested in joining their blog tour for the conclusion of this duology. I'm also going to be doing a fashion spread photo shoot based on this book at the end so don't forget to stay till the end.

So what did I think about this book?

The angst. The feels. All of it. This book is predominantly set in a time period where two groups of society hate each other. Now this isn't some age old war we're talking about. This is about the higher class called the gentry that oppress the group known as the Rootless. I loved the tension between these two groups even though it's not ladylike to admit that I love violence but this book leaves you with just the right amount of violence and mystery to the point where you don't know who or what caused it.

Keep in mind that there are only two books in this series, and I was surprised Hagen could compose all those thoughts in that first book. Nothing is kept away from the readers in the first book as there is a satisfying ending and the characters go through a tremendous amount of character development with Madeline becoming more headstrong. In the second book I'm seeing a lot of characters that I didn't expect to change, to go through some of the most amazing developments in my reading history. It's those moments that make you want to stop reading and think about how the author thought to do that.

Yearning for a bite of romance? This series has it all from the violence and the thrill to the romance and swooniness of the guys. I like how young, rebellious socialite guys are portrayed in this book. It isn't the normal cliche type of guy that's main purpose in life is to get with a girl and impregnate her. These guys are affectionate towards these girls and ughhh so darn hunky and adorable. It makes me wonder why there aren't guys like this in real life, xD.

Ladies, this book will appeal to your girlishness and make you wish you were a princess. There is talk of lace dresses, pearl and silver necklaces, makeup, hair! It's something I've never thought of alone but in the context where Madeline is being pampered by her maids, I can't help but be a little envious. Fashion is imperative in this society and what you wear depends on your status. I decided to do a little fashion spread based on that so let's get into it...

Behind the Dress

This book is notorious for its talk on fashion and dress and making sure their royalty is fit to perfection. My sister and I recreated the set of this book and did a fashion spread photo shoot that represents this book. My photos are a series that represent how there is always more than it seems. This girl represented is my sister playing the main character Madeline. It represents that behind the dresses, shoes, and affluent lifestyle of the gentry, there is murder, mystery, romance, and intrigue. Hope you enjoy! I had a lot of fun doing this! I would like to thank my sister for being my model.

I love all the opulence and elegance of everything in this book. It gives such huge Pride & Prejudice and Downton Abbey vibes. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that Hagen managed to write two amazing books in a duology and didn't need three books to pack in all to make this series great. I love how the characters are so amazing and the romance is PERFECTION. Lovely review and awesome photo shoot :D

Oh my gosh, I need to start reading this series. Awesome review, Alexandria, and can I just say I'm in love with those photoshoot pictures? So grotesque yet elegant. The photos alone make me want to read Landry Park + Jubilee Manor.

Alexandria

Yingchao "Ying"

Gabrielle "Gabby"

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FTC Disclaimer

Any books that are reviewed on this site are either gifted to me, won in a giveaway, or purchased. All reviews are honest, and are not swayed by anything. I will note if the books have been gifted or won. Most pictures or clip art have been taken off of Google or somewhere else if said otherwise. Said pictures are not mine, and I do not hold ownership over them unless stated otherwise.